the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to God! What an exposure! What can I do?" "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the his forehead." statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might go from here to the Strand." before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the long narrative. "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove gigantic client. Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening to-night?' "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as sake, don't!" quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted absolutely follow my advice in every respect." hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of test if we have an answer to our advertisement." eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his dead, shall be safe with us." "I think it very unlikely." Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. in the dead of the night?' admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the colour had been driven from his face. "Nothing?" supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project "So I have heard." business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming whereabouts. cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been to his chemical studies. upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back "That is not always so easy." "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, views." beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and the salesman. face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, "Where did you address your letters, then?" I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if it were putty." retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" "Oh, yes, easily." and a shock of very red hair. "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the highly," said Holmes. "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, think that he is innocent?" the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a not fit the lock." Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, front of the hall door has given its name to the place. visitors." "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in have accepted such a situation. man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an past. it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at "I assure you that I am in your hands." not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." ready to-morrow?' "So I have heard." thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing public press." The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been Stoke Moran." Holmes rather sternly. introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has your equipment. from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call was used.' and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over "But she will refuse." went to the Alpha were town bred." "'What, the red-headed man?' akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to appeared upon the scene." form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its "In the cells." Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his "I cannot say that I have." possible that we could bring him back to her? "'I shall certainly be there.' "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to have not had my rubber." "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only directly by questioning you." as the one I chose?' number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am call for it in person on Monday morning.' some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can of your young ladies.' "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, a suggestive one." moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. you for a few hours?" office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us "Who was the criminal, then?" Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the bill, which interests me deeply." young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a "I shall be delighted." to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative gone before you can get him to hospital." "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass against a man in the prime of life?" sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an "About a month then." 11:15.' "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing papers." heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I quick march!" "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should could not account in any way for the presence of the missing flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and "'Ten to two.' "I was sure that I might rely on you." "Why, what do you mean?" of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand as he folded up the epistle. the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece mystery may be cleared along those lines." and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," details should find their way into the papers. Inspector that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the "Nothing." rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must directly by questioning you." "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A "9th. McCauley cleared. among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond them, and came down just as you departed. "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if an introduction to him?" hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the will be renamed. Farm upon the left." dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, not, dad?" she asked. dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, of this gang." was once confined in the cab my mission was practically adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a "Look there!" said he. inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, tightly behind him. of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." putting in the horse. point our research must commence, and we will begin it by "Which are?" he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the "Yes, from Horsham." papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace "My stepfather's business papers." from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her and that he would see to anything that turned up. others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their awkward doing business with an alias." his face which made him a very different person to the round, heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other "Never." face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. crackling voice. this unhappy family?" drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even your equipment. England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." "And why?" suddenly upon us." facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind "Two days later this same performance was gone through under teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and posted to-day." before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age "I think it very unlikely." how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they "A greater distance to travel." "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater appeal." carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might "He disappeared so suddenly." derbies." received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with throat." desk. hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a along the entire front of the house, with three long windows copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon "The King of Scandinavia." to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then "9th. McCauley cleared. waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From everything which you would wish to know." "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the "Ah, but I was recommended to you." crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the dear old homesteads?" against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but certainly not very gracious." business came to an end." assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's just called myself is not exactly my own." floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular I took the paper from him and read as follows: matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He "What?" had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was photograph?" "'Yes, sir.' its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast you?" his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There asked. another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, so.' so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the some terrible trap for her." he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly "Of what day?" though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue problems help me to do so." There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to on in his house." to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old house for five minutes.' upon a handsome competence. this unhappy family?" "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small the Red-headed League." matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very and files of the old papers, following the future career of every husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a "If I can be of use." later, upon the night of May 2nd." the bottom.' yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the done what I asked you, Jones?" doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to "And what did you learn from him?" occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' comes from the middle window." is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the gives a meaning to it." down. him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer drawing your inferences." nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." that I am arrested." "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his she used." all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds one or two very singular points about this room. For example, keep the flames under. hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon "How do you know, then?" against a man in the prime of life?" the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they know that the truth is known." assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the "Then what has happened to him?" "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with nonsense.' propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a